Lot Essay
RALPH MOLLER
This dining-table was formerly in the renowned collection formed by the English furniture collector and racehorse owner Ralph Moller. Born in Shanghai to a Scandinavian ship-owning family that had settled in the Far East in the 19th century, Ralph Moller moved to England following the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in 1941. Like his brother Eric, Ralph Moller formed his superb collection of furniture at White Lodge, near Newmarket, under the almost mythical guidance of R. W. Symonds. Both of the Moller brothers' collections formed the basis of Symonds' Furniture Making in 17th and 18th Century England and constituted an invaluable document in the history of collecting. He is therefore to be seen alongside the other pioneering figures of English furniture collecting who were advised by Symonds, such as Percival Griffiths, J.S. Sykes, Jim Joel and Samuel Messer. When finding furniture for his clients, Symonds laid particular emphasis on original patination, a well-balanced design and good qu ality carving and timber. Unlike many collectors today where the prove nance is paramount, Symonds' primary concern was that the piece stood on its own merits, with or without an illustrious background.
This dining-table was formerly in the renowned collection formed by the English furniture collector and racehorse owner Ralph Moller. Born in Shanghai to a Scandinavian ship-owning family that had settled in the Far East in the 19th century, Ralph Moller moved to England following the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in 1941. Like his brother Eric, Ralph Moller formed his superb collection of furniture at White Lodge, near Newmarket, under the almost mythical guidance of R. W. Symonds. Both of the Moller brothers' collections formed the basis of Symonds' Furniture Making in 17th and 18th Century England and constituted an invaluable document in the history of collecting. He is therefore to be seen alongside the other pioneering figures of English furniture collecting who were advised by Symonds, such as Percival Griffiths, J.S. Sykes, Jim Joel and Samuel Messer. When finding furniture for his clients, Symonds laid particular emphasis on original patination, a well-balanced design and good qu ality carving and timber. Unlike many collectors today where the prove nance is paramount, Symonds' primary concern was that the piece stood on its own merits, with or without an illustrious background.